THE NAVAL BASE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15825, 25 July 1913, Page 3

THE NAVAL BASE.

INACTIVITY OP IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. SUITABILITY OF AUCKLAND HARBOUR. (Fbom Och Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, July 24. Tho statement made by tho Prime Minister in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, to the effect that tho Government had no intention of interfering with any •arrangements made by tho Admiralty in the selection of Auckland as a naval base, was referred to by Mr W. H. Gunson (ohairman of tho Harbour Board) today.

"Tho board," said Mr Gucpon, "has latterly become impationt at what seams to bo t3ie inactivity of the Imperial Government, in conjunction with our own Government, in relation to the important question of tho completion of the naval base at Auckland. Tho -board is now in communication with- both tho Prime Minister and tho Minister of Defence, and the Government has been fully advised in regwd to the very important suggestion which tho Auckland Harbour Board has adopted." In repiv to a question as to whether the nature of tho board's proposals oould be disclosed, the chairman said he was notable at the present time to make any public announcement fihat the sympathy and support of the Government would be enlisted in regard to them.. ' It seems to mo," he wont i on, "that if .anything is to bo done the matter must, be pushed on forcibly from J New Zealand. We sre quite in tho dark regarding the Now Zealand Government's I intentions. The board in 1899 and 1903 conducted negotiations diroct with the Admiralty. It is not desirable, however, that the i board at this juncture thculd approach th Admiralty. What the board desircn is th-.t j tho New Zealand Government should take it into its orrfidence. This does not inanv way savour of presumption on' the part of the board, nor is it out of place, seeing thai tho Auckland Harbour board is body primarily responsible in representing important oondibioiis heri. . I therefore sincerely hope that both Ministers will give all duo consideration to the board's representations."

Questioned as to whether tho board' admitted the claim put forward by Mr M'Callum that Queen Charlotte Sound \ra6 the nio6t suitable site for t.he naval base, and whether Mr M'Callum't) statement that Auckland Harbour was a shallow, lowwater harbour was correct, Mr replied "We have nothing say against Queen Gharlotto Sound, but in regard to tho statement that Auckland is a shallow, low-water harbour, it seems to be designedly calculated to do Auckland an injustice, with tho idea of obtaining a benefit for another centre. To those who h:ivc any knowledge of the conditions that exist here," he ..procoedwl "a contradiction of this lxuolcss assertion is not required, but it is just possible that by those who have nb know-' ledge of local conditions such a statement might be accepted as fact. As aa instance of the capaciousness of Auckland Harbour, its great depth of water, and the natural facilities which are denied to other ports, and which so well qualify it for a naval base, and justify the Admiralty's selection of if as such, I- have only to mention tho fact that tho great white fleet of 16 war vessels and some four colliers at ono time lay snugly at anchor in its waters. Without any exaggeration I may state we could have accommodated a .fleet four times' a 6 large. The Auckland Harliour has magnificent water from Jvauri Point to North Head. There is deep water along tho whole stretch at Calliope dock jetty. wh ; ch is an Admiralty jetty. There is 53ft of -water at dead low 6pring tide at Queen street wharf. Where the battleship New Zealand berthed with its bow into tho city we have 40ft of water, nnd, ns necosfity arises, greater depth, can be made." •